Pre-built stocking plan55-gallon Community Freshwater Blueprint
55-gallon community freshwater stocking blueprint - large school + centerpiece + diversity.
Setup
55-gallon (48"×13"×21"), canister filter, heater, LED
Fish stocking
- Large school: 20x cardinal tetras OR 15x rummy nose tetras
- 8x corydoras
- 6x otocinclus + 1x bristlenose pleco
- Pair gourami (pearl or honey)
- Pair German blue rams
- Optional: 5x black phantom tetras as second school
Invertebrates
- 10x amano shrimp
- Cherry shrimp colony (only if no pleco)
Plants
- Heavy plant load: vallisneria background, crypts midground, java fern + anubias on wood, optional carpet
Stocking timeline
Week/Phase 1Cycle 3-4 weeks
Week/Phase 2Bottom dwellers first
Week/Phase 3Schools week 4-5
Week/Phase 4Centerpieces week 6-8
Week/Phase 5Shrimp month 3